Atty. general raids Dothan's Center Stage casino

A Houston County Ala. Sheriff's Office Deputy directs a motorist away from the entrance to the Center Stage casino Wednesday, July 25, 2012. State and local law enforcement raided Center Stage casino near Dothan on Wednesday and seized several hundred machines that the state attorney general called illegal. Attorney General Luther Strange announced that his office worked with the Houston County sheriff and district attorney to serve a search warrant that resulted from an ongoing investigation of illegal gambling. (AP Photo/The Dothan Eagle,Max Oden )

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 3:55 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 10:32 a.m.

DOTHAN, Ala. — State and local law enforcement raided Center Stage casino near Dothan on Wednesday and seized several hundred machines that the state attorney general called illegal.

Attorney General Luther Strange announced that his office worked with the Houston County sheriff and district attorney to serve a search warrant that resulted from an ongoing investigation of illegal gambling.

Center Stage replaced Country Crossing casino, which was closed during former Gov. Bob Riley's crackdown on gambling in 2010. Country Crossing's developer, Ronnie Gilley, pleaded guilty last year to offering bribes to legislators to support pro-gambling legislation. New operators reopened the country-themed casino last July with 500 machines that they advertised as legal electronic bingo.

Strange said he tried to resolve the legality of the machines without a raid, but the casino wouldn't cooperate.

"We offered Center Stage an opportunity to resolve this matter by surrendering its machines to the state and to allow a court to determine the legality of the machines. After Center Stage simply refused to compromise or discuss this matter in good faith, we sent the casino a written order to cease and desist its illegal operation," Strange said.

It continued to operate, and the only alternative left was to take law enforcement action, he said Wednesday.

An attorney for Center Stage's operators did not immediately respond to a phone message and email seeking comment.

The old Country Crossing casino, located on U.S. 231 five miles south of Dothan in the Cottonwood community, had games that resembled slot machines with flashing lights and sound effects. In an agreement with Strange, the nation's largest gambling machine manufacturers removed their equipment from Country Crossing more than a year ago. Center Stage reopened with machines that look like computer monitors, with customers sitting down to play.

Sybil Rich of Dothan told the Dothan Eagle that she was playing a game when officers entered shortly before 10 a.m. She said they asked patrons to cash out their games and go to an adjoining room, where they were questioned one by one. She said she was asked for identifying information, why she was there, and if she were playing a game.

"I hate (that) this happened," she said. "I don't know why they want to mess with this down here."

No arrests were announced.

Strange said his next step is seeking a forfeiture ruling from a Dothan judge for the machines and the money seized from them. He said he will also keep encouraging the Legislature to increase the penalty for operating an illegal gambling machine from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Alabama also has privately operated electronic bingo casinos in White Hall and Greensboro. Strange did not say whether he plans action at those locations.

In addition, the Poarch Creek Indians operate casinos in Wetumpka, Montgomery and Atmore that are the state's largest, but they are under federal supervision rather than state control.

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